GB2370147A

GB2370147A - A laminar element display system

Info

Publication number: GB2370147A
Application number: GB0027374A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandra Loraine Steven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-08
Filing date: 2000-11-08
Publication date: 2002-06-19
Also published as: GB0027374D0

Abstract

A display system, for example, a combined calendar and photo album, comprises a plurality of substantially laminar elements 10 joined along a common edge to form a pad, at least one of the said laminar elements being provided with holder means 40 for receiving and retaining an image-bearing element, the said at least one laminar element and/or the said holder means having an opening through which an image-bearing element retained by the said holder means is visible, the arrangement being such that an image-bearing element can be introduced into or withdrawn from the said holder means without requiring detachment of the said at least one laminar element from the said pad. The holder means may comprise a resilient flap 50 or pocket (Figure 4) positioned over the opening 40. The laminar elements may exhibit information in the form of a calendar.

Description

A DISPLAY SYSTEM

The present invention relates generally to a display system and particularly to a display system incorporating means for receiving and retaining an image-bearing element.

Where a singular laminar element is used to receive and retain an image-bearing element such as a photograph, little consideration needs to be given to the method of introducing and retaining the element. An example of such a laminar element is a picture frame which, for example, may comprise a bi-laminar structure in which an upper layer in the form of a frame is joined to a lower backing layer along a least two sides so as to form a slot for insertion of a photograph. It is noted by the inventor that it may be desirable to join a plurality of laminar display elements together in the form of a pad. Where this is the case it is preferable to allow incorporation of an image-bearing element in any of the laminar elements without first having to detach it from the rest of the pad.

According to the present invention there is provided a display system comprising a plurality of substantially laminar elements joined along a common edge to form a pad, at least one of the said laminar elements being provided with a holder means for receiving and retaining an image-bearing element, the said at least one laminar element and/or the said holder means having an opening through which an imagebearing element retained by the said holder means is visible, the arrangement being such that an image-bearing element can be introduced into or withdrawn from the

said holder means without requiring detachment of the said at least one laminar element from the said pad. An example of the utility of such a multi-laminar display system is as a calendar in which twelve sheets are joined along a common edge to form a pad.

Each laminar element may be provided with holder means for receiving and retaining respective image-bearing elements. The holder means may comprise means defining a pocket.

The holder means may comprise a resilient flap which is resiliently biased towards an image-bearing element-retaining position. The resilience of the flap may be provided by any suitable means such as spring loading or use of a naturally resilient material.

The or each laminar element which receives an image-bearing element may itself have an image formed thereon at least in the region of the periphery of the opening. The nature of such an image may have a bearing or influence on the nature of the image formed on the image-bearing element to be introduced.

Although such display systems may be manufactured and supplied already incorporating image-bearing elements, it may be preferable to allow personalising of a display system, for personal use or use as a gift.

In a particularly useful embodiment the image-bearing element is formed to include a plurality of images which may, for example, include images of each person whose birthday falls within a particular month of the year. Such an imagebearing element may comprise a strip or wheel which can be moved relative to the opening to allow the image visible through the opening to be changed. In this way the image of a person whose birthday falls on a particular day of a particular month could be represented for that day.

There may be provided means for selecting an image for a particular day. For example, where a plurality of images are provided on an image-bearing element the movement between images may be automated. If no event occurs on a particular day there may be an image of no significance or a blank to avoid confusion.

At least one of the laminar elements may include a portion for receiving a table which exhibits information. The table may be in the form of a calendar. The table itself may also be releaseably detachable to a laminar element which would allow the display system to be used for a number of purposes, or a number of years in the case of a calendar in which the calendar portion is simply replaced.

Whilst in some embodiments an image may be pre-formed on the laminar element it may be preferable to leave a blank space to allow further personalising of the calendar. For example a picture of a child may be incorporated into the laminar element and the child may form the image itself.

Whilst such display systems are particularly suited for use as a calendar other uses such as a photograph album which is personalised by having an image formed on each laminar element which is relevant to the photograph incorporated therein, are not beyond the scope of the present invention.

Conveniently the pad may be free-standing. Alternatively or additionally the pad may include attachment means for attachment to a surface such as a wall. The attachment means may comprise, for example, a hook or adhesive pad.

Retaining the image-bearing element whilst incorporated in the laminar element is important and particularly if, as is likely, the elements will frequently be moved to check for the significance of events on other laminar elements.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a laminar element according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a laminar element having holder means; Figure 4 shows a laminar element having alternative holder means; Figure 5 shows a laminar element itself having an image formed thereon; Figure 6 shows a laminar element having an image-bearing element for receiving a plurality of images; and

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment having means for selecting a combination of any of a plurality of images and a plurality of messages. Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a display system comprising a plurality of generally rectangular laminar elements 10 joined along a common edge 20 to form a pad generally indicated 1. In this embodiment the common edge 20 is a longer side of each laminar element and may be particularly suitable as a free-standing structure. In other embodiments a shorter side of each laminar element 10 may be preferred. Whilst in this embodiment each laminar element 10 is generally rectangular, there is no requirement for this shape and other shapes such as circular, triangular or even irregular shapes may equally well be applied. Different shape laminar elements may indeed be present in the same pad. In some embodiments (not shown) the shape of the laminar element is determined or influenced by images formed thereon. For example, the laminar element could be in the shape of an animal or a car and be decorated accordingly.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a single laminar element 10 prior to incorporation into a pad. The laminar element 10 has a table of information in the form of a calendar 30 and an opening 40 for receiving an image-bearing element (not shown).

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 there are shown holder means suitable for receiving and retaining an image-bearing element so as to be visible through the opening 40 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a pocket positioned over the opening 40 and attached along three edges 41, 42, 43 so that a fourth edge 44 defines an entrance for receiving an image bearing element 45 (shown in phantom). The pocket could be attached to the front or rear face of the laminar element 10. If it is attached to the front face it must, of course, either be formed from transparent material or itself have an opening, in which case the laminar element 10 will not require a separate opening. In use the laminar element 10 is part of a pad and is joined to other such elements along common edge 20. The orientation of the pocket is therefore such that an imagebearing element is inserted laterally (shown by arrow A) so that this can be done without having first to remove the laminar element from its pad.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 the holder means comprise a resilient flap 50, shown here in an open position ready to receive an image-bearing element (not shown). The flap 50 is resiliently biased to a closed position (shown by arrow B) by a living hinge 55. In this embodiment the resilience is provided by the nature of the material of the hinge 55; in other embodiments (not shown) the resilience may be provided by a spring or an elastic member which tends to move the flap 50 towards the closed position, in which the image-bearing element is pressed against the periphery of the opening.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment, similar to that shown in Figure 2, except that the laminar element 10 itself bears an image 60. The image 60 is associated with the opening 40 and in this embodiment is related to the nature of the image to be received therein.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which the image-bearing element is in the form of a wheel 70 which has a plurality of bays (labelled A to H) each for receiving a separate image. In this embodiment the holder means comprise a spindle 75 on which the wheel 70 is rotatably mounted. The wheel 70 is positioned so that at any time one image is displayed through the opening 40. The image visible through the opening can, therefore, be changed by rotating the wheel 70, for which purpose the wheel 70 is positioned so that a portion 71 extends from the laminar element 10 to allow it to be gripped for turning. If, for example, the table 30 is a calendar then images having significance on a particular date may be preloaded into the bays, preferably in chronological order, and turned to be visible on that date.

Figure 7 shows a more advanced embodiment in which an image-bearing wheel 70 is again present; in addition a second wheel 80 is present and has a plurality of bays (labelled I to 11) each for receiving a message, for example in the form of a label having written explanation of why a particular date is significant. Movement of the wheels 70,80 about respective spindles 75,85 is motorised by any convenient means and is controlled by a processor 90. The processor 90 includes clock and calendar functions to keep track of the date. The processor 90 can be programmed to display any combination of an image-bearing element with a message through respective openings 40,40a on a particular date. In this way an image is displayed together with an explanatory message of its significance.

Claims

1. A display system comprising a plurality of substantially laminar elements joined along a common edge to form a pad, at least one of the said laminar elements being provided with holder means for receiving and retaining an imagebearing element, the said at least one laminar element and/or the said holder means having an opening through which an image-bearing element retained by the said holder means is visible, the arrangement being such that an image-bearing element can be introduced into or withdrawn from the said holder means without requiring detachment of the said at least one laminar element from the said pad.

2. A display system as claimed in Claim 1, in which each said laminar element is provided with holder means for receiving and retaining respective image-bearing elements.

3. A display system as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the said holder means comprise means defining a pocket.

4. A display system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the said holder means comprise a resilient flap which is resiliently biased towards an image-bearing element-retaining position.

5. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said at least one laminar element has an image formed thereon at least in the region of the periphery of the said opening.

6. A display system as claimed in Claim 5, in which the nature of the image formed on the said at least one laminar element is influenced by the nature of the image formed on the said image-bearing element to be introduced.

7. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the said laminar elements includes or includes a portion for receiving a table which exhibits information.

8. A display system as claimed in Claim 7, in which the said table is in the form of a calendar.

9. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said pad is free-standing.

10. A display system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said pad includes attachment means for attachment to a surface.

11. A display system substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.